PSSI: Naturalisation of Overseas-Born Players Legal amid Scrutiny

JAKARTA, Jakartaweekly.com – Indonesia’s football association (PSSI) said all naturalisation processes for players of Indonesian descent have been carried out legally and in accordance with national regulations, responding to widening scrutiny over several diaspora players competing in the Dutch Eredivisie.

Sumardji, chairman of the National Team Agency, said all Indonesia internationals playing in the Netherlands had followed due legal procedures and that their decisions were driven by their commitment to represent the country.

“All players of Indonesian descent who have represented the national team, including Dean James, Justin Hubner, and Nathan Tjoe-A-On, are legally Indonesian citizens and there are no legal issues under Indonesian law,” Sumardji said in a statement on Friday, April 3, 2026.

He said many of the naturalised players were born and raised abroad and have family ties outside Indonesia, adding that their decision to switch nationality reflected their willingness to serve the country.

Sumardji said the players had also made sacrifices by relinquishing certain benefits tied to their previous citizenship, such as easier access to residency and work arrangements in countries like the Netherlands.

He added that PSSI was proud of the players’ performances in the Eredivisie, where several have secured key roles at top clubs.

Pointing to goalkeeper Maarten Paes as an example, Sumardji said Indonesian players continued to earn trust at the highest level of European football.

“This is a clear example of the sacrifices made by our players. We are grateful they continue to play important roles at top European clubs,” he said.

Sumardji also said recent issues involving the players and their clubs were administrative in nature and related to Dutch regulations, and would not affect their status as Indonesian nationals.